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In the age of endless kitchen gadgets, the handheld immersion blender has truly stood the test of time, first debuting in Switzerland in 1950. Due to its versatility and ease of use in the kitchen, immersion blenders are not only renowned for their size — think of how small they are in comparison to bulky traditional blenders — but also their shocking power, all found within the palm of your hand. Whether or not you’re whipping up five-star meals each night, immersion blenders are often the defining line between a good and a great dish.

So, what exactly is an immersion blender, and how does it differ from traditional blenders, or hand mixers and stand mixers, for that matter? “An immersion blender is great for pureeing liquidy ingredients totally smooth, like soups and sauces,” says chef and food editor Lizzy Briskin. “If you’re cooking something on the stove, you can stick your immersion blender right into the pot without having to transfer it to a blender,” which can save you time and energy, and is a much safer method than moving potentially hot and dangerous liquids — an especially big benefit if you’ve got kids and pets running around.

As it is with every kitchen, immersion blenders come in various makes and models to suit your needs. To help you make your ultimate pick, we’ve rounded up our top 10 immersion blenders from across various brands to help ensure there’s a bit of something in here for everyone. Bon appétit!